Auckland box volume up 7pc in July-September
Container throughput volume at the Ports of Auckland during the July-September quarter has increased by seven per cent compared to the previous quarter to 208,812 TEU.
Managing director Jens Madsen said that while some of the increase could be attributed to normal seasonal fluctuations, the overall trend was heartening.
"We are seeing a gradual increase in full import container volumes. This is a good sign as we head in to the traditional busy import season ahead of Christmas," said Mr Madsen in a statement from port authorities. "We anticipate a similar trend with export volumes over the coming months."
Despite the positive signs, container volumes remain below 2008 levels with total box volume for the July-September quarter down five per cent year-on-year.
Transshipment volumes were up eight per cent for the quarter under review compared to 2008.
Car volumes, as well as break-bulk and bulk were up 14.8 per cent and nine per cent respectively from the April-June 2009 quarter, but were down 29 per cent and 33 per cent compared to last year.
"Unrelenting cost pressures have seen the large international shipping lines run much leaner operations over the last 12 months. Lines have also cut back on capacity, reducing the number of ships calling New Zealand and the number of available container slots," said Mr Madsen.
Mr Madsen said he expected volatility in the international shipping market to continue and remained cautious about the overall volume outlook for 2009/10.
The Ports of Auckland registered a net profit of NZ$5.4 million (US$3.98 million) for the year ended 30 June 2009, down from NZ$D21.1 million in 2007/08.
Managing director Jens Madsen said that while some of the increase could be attributed to normal seasonal fluctuations, the overall trend was heartening.
"We are seeing a gradual increase in full import container volumes. This is a good sign as we head in to the traditional busy import season ahead of Christmas," said Mr Madsen in a statement from port authorities. "We anticipate a similar trend with export volumes over the coming months."
Despite the positive signs, container volumes remain below 2008 levels with total box volume for the July-September quarter down five per cent year-on-year.
Transshipment volumes were up eight per cent for the quarter under review compared to 2008.
Car volumes, as well as break-bulk and bulk were up 14.8 per cent and nine per cent respectively from the April-June 2009 quarter, but were down 29 per cent and 33 per cent compared to last year.
"Unrelenting cost pressures have seen the large international shipping lines run much leaner operations over the last 12 months. Lines have also cut back on capacity, reducing the number of ships calling New Zealand and the number of available container slots," said Mr Madsen.
Mr Madsen said he expected volatility in the international shipping market to continue and remained cautious about the overall volume outlook for 2009/10.
The Ports of Auckland registered a net profit of NZ$5.4 million (US$3.98 million) for the year ended 30 June 2009, down from NZ$D21.1 million in 2007/08.